The list "Aleksandar Vucic - Serbia must not stop" convincingly won in Chicago

The list "Aleksandar Vucic - Serbia must not stop" achieved a convincing victory at polling station number 56 at the Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in Chicago, Serbian Times writes.

As stated, these elections were characterized by a high turnout, with 75% of registered voters participating, and the list "Aleksandar Vucic – Serbia must not stop" won 215 votes or 53.09%.

In second place is the coalition "Serbia against Violence", which received the support of 132 voters, accounting for 32.59%.

The other lists performed significantly below, with the following results: Milos Jovanovic – Hope for Serbia 16 votes, "Good morning, Serbia" (Sasa Radulovis Enough is Enough-Boris Tadic Social Democratic Party-Ana Radulovic Kidnapped Babies) 14 votes, We – Voice from the people (Dr. Branislav Nestorovic) 12 votes, Oathkeepers and Dveri – 7 votes, People's Party (Vuk Jeremic) 7 votes, Ivica Dacic – Prime Minister of Serbia 1 vote, and the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians 1 vote.

The remaining lists did not receive any votes, and there was one invalid ballot in the ballot box.

Out of the total of 539 registered voters, 406 participated in the elections, accounting for 75.4%.

Consul General of Serbia in Chicago Damjan Jovic stated in an interview with Serbian Times that these elections had the highest attendance so far among the Serbian diaspora under the jurisdiction of his consulate.

"This is the most significant interest in elections in the Republic of Serbia since they have been conducted in Chicago, which we can only be satisfied with", he said.

When asked if the elections had been conducted in a fair atmosphere, he emphasized that there had been no issues.

"We had observers from several coalitions. We worked together, and everything went in a very correct atmosphere, full of respect", he noted.

Opposition monitors Miljan Boskovic from the "Good Morning, Serbia" list and Aleksandar Acic from the "Serbia against Violence" Movement agreed that the voting proceeded smoothly, but both pointed out irregularities regarding people who had not been listed in the voter registry.

"There were no irregularities, but we, unfortunately, noted two cases of administrative errors, where people were not registered in the voter registry here in Chicago but remained on the voter list in Serbia", Acic emphasizes, while his colleague Boskovic adds:

"We don't know if it's a mistake of the relevant authorities in Serbia or here in Chicago, but we filed a complaint".

Voters told the Serbian Times that they believed their votes mattered and hoped they would influence the final results in Serbia.

They also believe that the Serbian diaspora in America, despite living thousands of kilometers away from Serbia, has the right and should be involved in making important political decisions in the homeland.

All agree that the state of Serbia, regardless of who rules it in the coming years, should ensure better representation of the diaspora in the Serbian Parliament by providing so-called secure parliamentary seats, as has been the case for decades in the Croatian Parliament.

Miroslav Perisic is originally from Cacak, living in Chicago since 2011, and his motivation for participating in the elections is a desire for change.

"I regret seeing what is happening down there. In 2011, I supported the people who are in power today, but it turned out that they are worse than the previous ones, and that is why I vote every year. I think my vote can change something and everyone should come out to vote, to evaluate this government, whether they have done well or not. I think the Serbs from the diaspora have the right to decide the fate of Serbia, at least those who want to return, and I am one of them, but I believe that living there is not currently great", he said.

Spouses Sasa and Bozica Stojimirovic don't think the same way. Originally from Krusevac, they have been in America for almost 13 years, and Sasa emphasizes that he voted for the first time.

"After 12 years, I went to Serbia for the first time, and when I saw how it looks, especially my hometown, I said: This is the right thing! I plan to return to Serbia when I retire and stay forever", he said.

His wife Bozica believes that the Serbs from the diaspora have the right to influence events in Serbia because "each of us has families there that we care for and nurture".

"The diaspora should get seats in the Serbian Parliament. Since we are giving money, we should have a say", she says.

Aleksandar Kuzmanovic has been in America for over 20 years, living in Chicago for 18 years, and he came to the elections with his son and mother.

"I voted regularly when I lived in Serbia, so I continued here. In the end, the majority decides, but I think my vote is important; it is a pleasure to vote, and that's why I'm here. I am a citizen of America, but also Serbia, and I think that gives me the right to influence political developments in the homeland. I think it would be fine for the diaspora to have guaranteed seats in the Parliament, why not?" he said.

Djurdjija Kuljic is originally from Herzegovina and arrived in America 10 years ago from Novi Sad. She came to vote with her son.

"My motivation to vote is that I believe every one of our votes counts. Also, there is hope that something can change for the better. We, from here, not only have the right but also the obligation to influence what is happening in Serbia. It's not just about us; it's also about those we left there. It's easy to turn a blind eye. Here, we have all secured a more comfortable life, but we have an obligation to those who are still there. I believe Serbia should ensure the representation of the diaspora in parliament, and until that happens, I think we could do a lot ourselves, organize, and show that we care. There are many of us, and that would certainly make sense", she says.

Jelena Popovic came from Belgrade 45 years ago and says she has been voting since she gained the right as an adult.

"Coming to America has not changed those habits; I still fulfill my duties. Just because we are here doesn't mean we're not there with our souls. We are, very much. I think it's important and necessary for all of us to participate in that", she stated.